Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassy Laessig.
Cassy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
From as early as I can remember, I’ve always been entertained by the idea of creating art with hair and makeup. Everything from beauty hair and makeup, face painting, avant-garde to special makeup effects. I would practice hair & makeup on both myself & my friends, do mini photo shoots of face painting, different hair designs and more gory makeup that I would create with the infamous liquid latex, toilet paper, and fake blood. Making art on the human canvas was and still is a huge passion of mine. I decided to take the first step into making hair and makeup my career by joining the cosmetology program at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, MI. There, I was surrounded by incredible instructors who always motivated me to do my best. I graduated in 2017 with a fire in my belly telling me I wanted more! I’m from a town of maybe 2000 people so I wanted to experience something new. I wanted an adventure. A challenge.
I remember waking up one day and deciding I wanted to move to the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles. I jumped in my car and drove over 2000 miles to a city that I’ve never been to before with no idea what would happen. All I knew is that I wanted a life-changing adventure that would help me grow personally and professionally. Once I got settled into my apartment in North Hollywood, I furthered my education by completing the Master Makeup Artistry Program at Make-up Designory in Burbank, CA. There, I learned more about beauty and special effects makeup as well as the business of freelancing. Upon graduating, I made a ton of connections, started working gigs & building my portfolio. If it weren’t for all the incredible friends, family & mentors in my life who have encouraged and motivated me, I would not be where I am today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Moving to LA to start my career has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But also one of the most rewarding. I drove over 2000 miles from a tiny town in upper Michigan to a huge city I have never been to before. I’ve never left home before. I had little money, no job & I didn’t know a single soul. I faced many obstacles… the culture shock, the hustle, the competition. It’s not easy. But you just have to remember that every road to success is not paved with a straight and easy path. Always remind yourself of your goals. Never settle. Surround yourself with different people who inspire and encourage you in life, who push you towards your dreams and goals and help you become a well rounded and happy individual. Open yourself to new ideas and new things. Instead of competing with others, compete with yourself. Learn something from everyone you meet. Hustle, hustle, hustle but still make some time for yourself – that is important. Follow the calling, not the crowd. It will be worth it. Shine bright and enjoy every moment.
what should we know about Cassy Laessig Hair & Makeup Artistry? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a hair and makeup artist specializing in beauty, editorial & special makeup effects. I’d say I am known for being well-rounded & trained in many areas including beauty hair & makeup as well as special makeup effects, body painting, character creation, prosthetic application, aging techniques, injury simulation & hair laying to name a few. To me, being well rounded is crucial in this industry- or any industry- as it has helped set me apart & get hired for jobs. In just a short year of living in LA, I have worked on a number of film sets, music videos, commercial shoots, editorials & weddings. My work has been featured in various publications including Shuba Magazine, Green Wedding Shoes, and La Belle Kidz Teen & Fashion. I was even awarded 2nd place National Makeup Artist Champion at Stanlee’s Los Angeles Comic Con. I am passionate about what I do, grateful for all of the people I have met & all of the amazing work that I got to be a part of. I am so proud that I got out of my comfort zone & risked everything I had to follow my dreams. This is only the beginning of what’s to come.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I have several mentors and have learned a large number of valuable lessons from each and every one of them. To find a mentor, look among the people you know are already a few steps ahead of you in your industry, doing what you aspire to do. From personal experiences, it’s best to find someone who already believes in you because, at some point in time, you got the opportunity to demonstrate your true potential to them. If they like, trust and see the potential in you, I guarantee it will be a mutually-rewarding and beneficial experience for them to support you. Mentors are great and help you be your best self. For networking, I find that being involved in the community helps get your name out there. Attend social events, volunteer, introduce yourself to others, reach out to others within your industry whether it’s at a networking event or online. Social networking tools are great and effective ways to share resources and establish your brand. Keep your social media up to date, follow others in your industry and support the projects that others are building, the list goes on. The bottom line is, always be active and involved in your line of work. If you do so, you and your business will continue to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cassylaessig.com
- Phone: 906-364-1486
- Email: laessigcassy@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cassylaessig
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/caslaessig
Image Credit:
Erik Berry, Adrian Sidney, Stanley Wu, Nick Lie, Deverill Weekes
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